Change in Progress

Countdown to Victory

In a way, I cannot believe that we are on the brink of a major change in America.  One month from tomorrow, Senator Barack Obama will speak before thousands and accept the nomination for President of the US for the Democratic Party.  As I typed this message it was 40 years ago that Rev. Martin Luther King told a packed congregation that he has seen the mountain top.  Did he see this...

Will the world be better for all blacks, or even major changes immediately - NO.

But I have a young friend who just graduated from college, and I remember that ever since he was six years old he has said he will be president someday.  When he still said it on graduation from high school - privately I chuckled to myself.  I did not believe it was really possible. When Senator Obama launched his race for the White House February 2007, I did not believe it was possible.  Only after Iowa did I let myself think...maybe.

I do not support Sen. Obama simply because he is black, or the fact he did not support the war in Iraq or the surge.  Those are elements.  I support his candidacy because he is prepared, I have looked at his answers to various issues of interest to me and I agree with his positions.  I do not agree with everything he says or does, but I have lived long enough to know there is no perfect man on this side of glory.  I accept that he is doing the best he can.

Critics say he has no foreign relations experience, but those who did led us into a war that [all together now Obama supporters...LOL] that should have never been authorized, should never have been waged. 

He has no executive experience his critics remind us- but yet Obama has created an organization that defeated one with great "brand" awareness, with a deep infrastructure.  In the meantime, this "start-up" organization has rewritten campaign finance playbook on the way to raising over $250M.  Meanwhile his wealthy opponent as well as Mitt Romney found deep pockets cannot purchase the White House when Americans pay attention.

Obama has crafted together a team of 300 advisers, charged them with being addressed fully on areas in certain regions/topics and they daily provide him with an overview and talking points.  But he is not a candidate controlled by focus groups and pundits - again rewriting the rules.

Pundits say, well he is a wonderful speaker but no specifics --- I challenge them to compare Obama's website, click on issues and then select just anyone of those listed.  Then do the same at Senator John McCain's website.

Perhaps the best legacy of his race for the White House is that he has helped millions of Americans believe and become engaged in the process - whether for or against him - America has stayed attuned to this election.

So, today was the begining of 100 days to victory...visit www.barackobama.com today, read the Senator's position on wide variety of issues, join in the dialogue with supporters and those seeking to make a final decision on one of the many forums and groups ---- then if agree that Obama is the right man for the job, offer your support:  financial, volunteer your time or both.

I had no idea I had veritgo until I saw this photo...

I read it is called Preacher's Pulpit --- yep, only God could convince me to walk out and sit on that ledge.  My heart skipped a beat ---- maybe three ---- just looking at the picture.

How do you handle it when your viritual and real world collide?

So on the Internet we can bear our soul and let our hair down because no one knows us righ?.  But wait, we are suppose to use it as a business networking tool as well. So people well known in the 'Net world begin to follow you on Twitter and FF, or maybe comment on your post.  I could not afford to this year but next year I hope to attend Blogging While Brown and BlogHer. Then what if you mess around and your co-workers find you on Linkedin. Suddenly you are not this unknown blimp on the information superhighway.

So I find myself in such a quandry - I want to say hey how do I handle XYZ?  But I do not want to look like an idiot in front of the the corner of the Net world I hang out in.  Besides I don't want my co-workers to stumble upon it and figure the who and the what of my frustration, or know that I feel like a failure.

The other reason why I am struggling with this is because I work at a non-profit organization and they are venturing into social media. I am psyched because who knows maybe I could turn what little bit I know now and what I can research into a different role in the organization.  But then I think wait if I walk into the VP office and say you can do this and that - and login to my accounts to show them, then while on it is on the screen what else will pop up.  and what if someone on the team decides to "follow" me. 

A perfect example of this - yesterday there was a, let's say "customer" example that they sent a message out about and said - someone should post this and then someone should "stumble upon".  Well I logged in to do it and then thought whoa where am I going to put it on FF and give someone the opportunity to "follow me" [come on I am not the only one that add followers like water] or on my blog ---- where they will certainly learn a great deal on how I think politically?

Over th last week I thought about creating a new ID but darn I cannot muster up the energy to establish and monitor another set of friends, etc.

But tell me folks - is that what you do in order to maintain some privacy on the Net?

Yeah I know - clearly I am a legend in my own mind.  That is a problem I don't mind confessing before you.

2nd Half of the Year - Need to focus on Fiances

I thank God, that I am doing much better than I was this time last year.  However, I still have a long way way to go to be where I want to be financially.

Big financial lesson learned this week - working at a non-profit - our retirement plan is an annuity which will be great when I retire to have the guaranteed money.  However, what is even better is that my employer chips in 6% while I chip in 4% for a total annual savings of 10% of my salary.

Downside of an annuity retirement plan - you cannot buy individual stocks.  Unfortuantely I do not have liquid assets so I cannot take advantage of the great stock buys out there right now - like Ford Motor company for $5.07 a share.  Now imagine buying 100 shares and watch it shoot back up to $15 or $20 a share

So my goal is to continue to reduce my debt, increase my cash flow and open a Roth IRA which someone finally explained to me in a way I understand.

Um, not so sure this would work....

Fortunately I do not drink much and have never actually been drunk, tipsy yes, drunk no because I fall asleep first.  Design to Inspire is highlighting the photography of Eric Roth which is great of course.  However, I just think this mix of small and large tile and odd shaped walls would not work well on the morning after...I've been drinking Fanata Orange all afternoon and it makes me oddly dizzy.

Now that's a garden party....

Desire to Inspire is highlighting the photography of Christina Schmidhofer, which is lovely.  The first photo lives up to the name of the blog...who would not aspire to have a lovely garden brunch under glorious green arches, preferabley with wild rambling roses.  Naturally orange would not be my color of choice but the pool really is a perfect touch as well.